Dragon Empires First Live Test

Codemasters let us know that Dragon Empires has entered its first live testing phase: online Player Vs Player combat. In Dragon Empires "Player vs Player combat, rather than just co-operative combat against monsters, is always possible. Dragon Empires features RPG roles (such as Outlaw and Bounty Hunter) specifically designed to make PvP combat an integral part of the gameplay." This live test is exclusively for the game's development team and its testers; open live beta test phases will begin later this year and registrations are still open here. Read the press release for more details.

Codemasters begins first live test for Dragon Empires: Player Vs Player online combat
Dragon Empires, Codemasters' next generation massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) for PC, has entered its first live testing phase: online Player Vs Player combat.
For the Dragon Empires development team, it's essential that the game's Player Vs Player combat system became the first live test phase; PvP combat lies at the heart of the gameworld where battles for supremacy in the Empires are paramount.
Says Ted Carron, Dragon Empires' producer:
"Dragon Empires' PvP combat system will be a revolution in MMORPGs. No longer will players simply be clicking attack and cycling through special moves. They will need to constantly think both tactically and strategically in order to achieve dominance over their foes. To have PvP combat as our first live test phase is highly important - we're ensuring we get it right from the start."
The game's combat system overcomes problems inherent in previous MMORPG combat, where the character's skill is much more important than the player's skill. In Dragon Empires, player skill is vital in deciding who is victorious in a fight; players won't just sit and watch their character fight hoping that the dice rolls are good.
In Dragon Empires Player vs Player combat, rather than just co-operative combat against monsters, is always possible. Dragon Empires features RPG roles (such as Outlaw and Bounty Hunter) specifically designed to make PvP combat an integral part of the gameplay. Players can also group together in tribal clans and fight incredible Clans Vs Clan battles to take control of the gameworld's 50 cities.
As well as needing to think and fight as a clan, players will need to be smart individual fighters too. Each fighter has to manage their energy levels by choosing the right combat actions at the right time and use the right weapons to match both their skill and the enemy they are fighting. It's entirely possible to bluff an enemy by using a weapon above a players' abilities, however the energy drain will be high.
As an alternative to storming in with weapon blows, a fighter can focus on absorbing an enemy's blows with a shield and a low-energy weapon until the enemy is exhausted. Exhaust an opponent and an intelligent fighter can switch to a heavy-duty weapon and finish off their foe quickly.
Strategy will also play a key part in clan combat. Some players will have the ability to drop magical shield walls to block off enemy approaches or incoming missile attacks. Players can also drop traps that will deny an area to the enemy and magic healing totem poles can be created to provide bonuses to local friendly players.
The positioning of players in a battle can also be advantageous: a team of archers on a hilltop will be a monumental challenge for a sword-wielding soldier. Struggling up hill under a hail of fire can be more than half the battle...
Dragon Empires PvP live test phase is now in progress exclusively for the game's development team and its testers; open live test phases for Dragon Empires will begin later this year and already over 130,000 players have signed up to take part. To help shape Dragon Empires, sign up for the Beta Test at: http://www.codemasters.com/dragonempires/beta_form.php
Dragon Empires is scheduled to launch in spring 2004 for PC and online gamers can follow the progress of the first live test on the game's website at www.codemasters.com/dragonempires